Flywheel press



May 22, 1962 P. HARVANEK 3,035,514

FLYWHEEL PRESS Filed March 9, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN TOR. fa zre/iarzr e6 P. HARVANEK May 22, 1962 FLYWHEEL PRESS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FiledMarch 9, 1959 e m 1 W V Na a 2 f P Y B Patented May 22, 1962 3,035,514FLYWHEEL PRESS Pavel Harvanek, Zdar upon Sazava, Czechoslovakia, as-

signor to Zdarsk strojirny a siramy, narodni podnik,

Zdar upon Sazava, Czechoslovakia Filed Mar. 9, 1959, Ser. No. 798,181Claims priority, application Czechoslovakia lllar. 7, 1958 9 Claims.(Cl. 160-264) The present invention relates to flywheel presses, andmore particularly to presses used for metal working, where the inertiaof a flywheel is used to produce an additional pressure on the workedobject. Known presses of this type are generally very etficient, buttheir application has been limited because of the inherent danger ofaccidents that may be caused by structural failure of the spindle of theflywheel, which is generally arranged above the working table. A furtherdisadvantage of known flywheel presses resides in the fact that theframe is stressed by the torque transmitted to it by the flywheel andthat brakes are needed to control the movements of the flywheel.

It is an object of this invention to provide a flywheel press, which issafe to operate under all conditions, and in which stresses aredistributed in such a manner as to permit a substantial reduction in theweight of the press.

A preferred embodiment of this invention is shown by way of example inthe accompanying drawing, in which FIG. 1 shows a press in sideelevation, partly in section; FIG. 2 shows the press of FIG. 1 in partlysectional plan view; and FIG. 3 is another partly sectioned elevation ofthe press.

The press comprises a supporting frame 10 which has an oval annular basepart carrying two columns which are joined by a cross beam at the top. Apress ram 1 which constitutes a substantially rectangular frame isguided by vertical guiding ribs 9 on the frame 10 for up and downmovement in the frame. The ram 1 may be either of one piece or becomposed of several firmly connected parts, and defines a substantiallyrectangular frame opening. The reciprocating movement of the ram 1 isactuated by a hydraulic cylinder 3 arranged on the upper cross beam ofthe supporting frame 10 coaxially with the vertical axis of the press. Apress table 6, the sides of which are supported by the frame 10, extendsthrough the substantially rectangular opening of the ram 1. Dies 7 arefixed on top of the press table 6 and on the ram 1 opposite said table.In the bottom part of the press table there is a recess which encloses abearing for a vertical flywheel spindle 4. The bearing comprises a ring11 fixed to the spindle 4 and a plate 12 fixed to the press table 6. Thering 11 and plate 12 respectively constitute the upper and lower race ofthe bearing. A set of balls 13 is retained between said races. Axialupward movement of the spindle is limited by a thrust plate 14 on thepress table 6. The lower end of the spindle 4 is fixedly fastened to aflywheel which is thus suspended from the press table 6, and is coaxialwith the axis of the press. The spindle 4 extends through the opening inthe base of the frame and the flywheel 5 is thus below floor level.

The axial portion of the spindle 4 outside the antifriction bearing 11,12, 13 is threaded. It passes through the ram 1 and threadedly engages acorresponding nut 8 which is fixedly inserted in the ram 1. Thehydraulic cylinder 3 is equipped with conduits 15, 16 whichalternatingly supply pressure fluid to the two working spaces of thecylinder.

When pressure fluid is admitted above the piston 2, the ram 1 is moveddownwards. Simultaneously a rotational movement is imparted to thespindle 4 and the flywheel 5, as the nut 8, which is mounted on the ram1, moves along the spindle 4. The threads of the spindle have anadequate pitch so as not to lock during the downward movement of theram. The energy stored in the flywheel 5 depends on the force actingupon the piston 2. The movement of the ram 1 would come to a halt whenboth dies 7 abut against the material being formed therebetween andcompress the material to an extent corresponding to the force actingupon the piston 2. The energy accumulated in the flywheel 5 causes anadditional force to act upon this material and further to compress it.The inertial torque of the flywheel is translated by the inter-engagingthreads of the spindle 4 and of the nut 8 into a vertically downwardforce exerted by the ram 1 on the material between the dies 7. Thecorresponding counterforce is transmitted by the spindle 4 to the presstable 6. After the forming operation is finished when the flywheelstops, the pressure fluid is admitted to the space below the piston 2,and the ram 1 is raised. The spindle 4 with the flywheel 5 now rotatesin the opposite direction but retains its axial position which isdetermined by the press table 6.

The torsional forces generated by the rotation of the flywheel areabsorbed by the supporting frame 10 and transmitted directly to themachine foundation. The forces used for pressing are entirely absorbedin the ram 1 which constitutes a frame element closed in itself. Thesupporting frame 10 serves therefore solely for guiding the ram 1 andfor transmitting the torsional forces generated by the rotating flywheel5 to the foundation. All rotating heavy parts are below floor level sothat they cannot cause an accident in the event of mechanical failure.There is no need for a gear transmission nor for a brake. These featuresmake the machine much simpler in design and lower in weight than theknown flywheel presses.

What I claim is:

1. In a press, in combination, a support constituting a fixed diecarrier; a press ram movable on said support in a predetermineddirection and constituting a movable die carrier; flywheel means; aflywheel actuator member having a thread, the axis of said thread beingparallel to said direction, said member being axially secured on saidsupport and rotatable thereon about said axis, said member beingconnected to said flywheel means for joint rotation therewith andthreadedly engaging said press ram; and means for moving said press ramon said support in said predetermined direction.

2. In a press, in combination, a support constituting a fixed diecarrier; a press ram movable on said support in a predetermineddirection and constituting a movable die carrier; first die means onsaid support; second die means on said ram and engageable with saidfirst die means by movement of said ram in said predetermined direction;flywheel means; a flywheel actuator member having a thread, the axis ofsaid thread being parallel to said direction, said member being axiallysecured on said support and rotatable thereon about said axis, saidmember being axially secured to said flywheel means for joint rotationand threadedly engaging said press ram; and means for moving said pressram on said support in said predetermined direction. 7

3. In a press, in combination, a support; a press ram movable on saidsupport in a predetermined direction and being formed with a recesstherein extending in said direction; a die carrier fixedly mounted onsaid support and extending into said recess; first die means on said diecarrier in said recess; second die means on said press ram andengageable with said first die means by movement of said press ram insaid predetermined direction; a flywheel actuator member mounted on saiddie carrier for rotation about an axis parallel to said predetermineddirection; means for axially securing said member on said die carrier;engaging thread means on said member and on said press ram respectivelyand coaxial with said axis for actuating rotary movement of said memberwhen said press ram moves in said predetermined direction; flywheelmeans mounted on said member for joint rotation therewith about saidaxis; and means for moving said press ram on said support in saidpredetermined direction.

4. In a press, in combination, a support; a press ram reciprocallymovable on said support in a predetermined direction and being formedwith a recess therein extending in said direction; a die carrier fixedlymounted on said support and extending into said recess; first die meanson said die carrier in said recess; second die means on said pressram'and engageable with saidfirst die means by movement of said pressram in said predetermined direction; a flywheel actuator member mountedon said die carrier for rotation about an axis parallel to saidpredetermined direction; means for axially securing said memher on saiddie carrier; engaging thread means on said member and on said press ramrespectively and coaxial with said axis for actuating rotary movement orsaid memher when said press ram moves in said predetermined direction;flywheel means mounted on said member for joint rotation therewith aboutsaid axis; and means for moving said press ram on said support in saidpredetermined direction.

5-. In a press, in combination, a support; a press ram movable on saidsupport in a predetermined longitudinal direction and being formed withan opening passing through said ram in a direction transverse of saidpredetermined direction and defining two transverse and two longitudinalportions of said ram; a die carrier fixedly mounted on said support andextending into said opening; first die means on said die carrier in saidopening; second die means on one of said transverse portions of saidpress ram and engageable with said first die means by movement of saidpress ram in said predetermined direction; a flywheelactuator membermounted on said die carrier for rotation about an axis parallel to saidpredetermined direction; means for axially securing said member on saiddie carrier; engaging thread means on said member and on the other oneof said transverse portions of said press ram respectively and coaxialwith said axis for actuating rotary movement of said member when saidpress ram moves in said predetermined direction; flywheel means mountedon said member for joint rotation therewith about said axis; and meansfor moving said press ram on said support in said predetermineddirection.

6. In a press, in combination, a support; a press ram 'movable on saidsupport in a predetermined longitudinal direction and being formed withan opening passing through said ram in a direction transverse of saidpre-; determined direction and defining two transverse and twolongitudinal portions of said ram; guide means on'said support andmovably engaging said longitudinal portions for guiding said movement ofsaid press ram; a die carrier fixedly mounted on said support, said diecarrier extending into said opening and being movable therein in saiddirection; first die means on said die carrier in said opening; seconddie means on one of said transverse portions of said press ram andengageable with said first die means by movement of said press ram insaid predetermined direction; a flywheel actuator member mounted on saiddie carrier for rotation about an axis parallel to said predetermineddirection; means for axially securing said member on said die carrier;engaging thread means on said member and on the other one of saidtransverse portions of said press ram respectively and coaxial with saidaxis for actuating rotary movement of said member when said press rammoves in said predetermined direction; flywheel means mounted on saidmember for joint rotation therewith about said axis; and means formoving said press ram on said support in said predetermined direction.

7. In a press, in combination, a support; a press ram movable on saidsupport in a predetermined direction and 7 being formed with a recesstherein extending in said direction; a die carrier fixedly mounted onsaid support, said die carrier extending into said recess and beingmovable therein in said direction; first die means on said die carrierin said recess; second die means on said press rain and engageable withsaid first die means by movement of said press ram in said predetermineddirection; a flywheel actuator member mounted on said die carrier forrotation about an axis parallel to said predetermined direction; meansfor axially securing said member on said die carrier; engaging threadmeans on said member and on said press ram respectively and coaxial withsaid axis for actuating rotary movement of said member when said pressram moves in said predetermined direction; flywheel means mounted onsaid member for joint rotation therewith about said axis; and a pressurefluid operated actuator mounted on said support and engaging said onetransverse portion for moving said press ram on said support in saidpredetermined direction.

8. In a press, in combination, a support; a press ram movable on saidsupport in a predetermined longitudinal direction and being formed withan opening passing through said ram in a direction transverse of saidpredetermined direction and defining two transverse and two longitudinalportions of said ram; a die carrier fixedly mounted on said support andextending into said opening; first die means on said die carrier in saidopening; second die means on one of said transverse portions of saidpress ram and engageable with said first die means by movement of saidpress ram in said predetermined direction; a flywheel actuator membermounted on said die carrier for rotation about an axis'parallel to saidpredetermined direction; means for axially securing said member on saiddie carrier; engagin'g'thread means on said member and on the other oneofsaid transverse portions of said press ram respectively and coaxialwith said axis for actuating rotary movement of's'aid member when saidpress ram moves in said predetermined direction; flywheel means mountedon said member for joint rotation therewith about said axis; and apressure fluid operated actuator mounted on said support and; engagingsaid one transverse portion for moving said press ram on said support insaid predetermined direction.

9. In a press, in combination, a support; a press ram movable on saidsupport in a predetermined longitudinal direction and being formed withan opening passing through said ram in a direction transverse of saidpredetermined direction and defining two transverse and two longitudinalportions of said ram; a die carrier fixedly mounted on said support andextending into said opening; first die means on said die carrier insaidopening; second die means on one of said transverse portions of saidpress ram engageable with said first die means by movement of said pressram in said predetermined direction; a flywheel actuator member mountedon said die carrier for rotation about an axis parallel to saidpredetermined direction; means for axially securing said member on saiddie carrier; engaging thread means on said member and on the other oneof said transverse portions of said press ram respectively and coaxialwith said axis for actuating rotary movement of said member when saidpress ram moves in said predetermined direction; flywheel means mountedon said member for joint rotation therewith about said axis; a hydrauliccylinder mounted on said support; and piston means in said cylind'ersubstantially coaxial with said thread means and connected to said onetransverse portion for moving said press ram on said support in saidpredetermined direction.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTSHothersall 'Apr. 6, 1937

